Christmas like a Child.

In this family, we love Christmas. All that love comes from some pretty great experiences and traditions that we had a children.

Josh grew up all Clark W. Griswald at his house. Christmas literally was everywhere you turned. Countless tress. Christmas figurines. Dishes. Hand towels. Presents everywhere...even on the porch. Little sleighs filled with Christmas stuffed animals. Outside could be seen from space. Gifts. Stories. Love. He believed in Santa til I broke the news to him....when he was 20. Bless. He really had an ideal childhood and along the way gathered some traditions that we celebrate as a family now. 

My family didn't decorate near as much, but we did put lights on the house and always had a beautiful tree filled with ornaments that my brother and I made. Stockings in my house were and still are a big deal. Way bigger than gifts. We couldn't wait to open those before anything else. 

When you have children Christmas changes. Creating new memories with them and mixing new and old traditions are so special. Seeing and experiencing Christmas through my child's eyes is so magical. I love to watch him. Sure things are crazy, busy, chaotic, and loud, but his anticipation and energy, the look in his eyes....just pure love from this Mama. 

Some of my favorite things we do with him are: 

Elf on the shelf obviously. I love it this year though because we can play with him and tell him about kindness, love and Jesus. 

We play Christmas music almost 24/7. HERE is my favorite favorite Christmas song.

We have a basket of Christmas only books, I LOVE when he grabs those and asks to read them. 

This year he really understands Jesus' birth story. We talk about it everyday, mostly because I love to hear him say what Jesus' gifts were...Frankenstein, change and murrh (it was a bird) ha! 

We know the true reason we celebrate is because of Jesus. He is our primary focus and we put all the glory and emphasis on Him, even Santa. Lots of people go about all that differently and that's ok, but for us seeing Major truly believe in something is really special. I think there is a very small window of time between understanding Santa and not believing anymore. This is the first year Major has understood, anticipated and truly been excited about the big guy. We went to Bass Pro and Major sat in his lap and proudly asked for 3 things because "Jesus got 3 gifts". He also told Santa he has been telling Transformer about Jesus and about kindness. The smile on his face was so precious, honest, and real. 

In this big ole mean and ugly world I take comfort in his innocence for now. I love how pure hearted little kids are. I love the true look of excitement and happiness. I am so grateful that I can shelter and protect him and his little heart. That Josh and I were entrusted with that job. 

There are so many things in this world ripping the innocence from our little ones, exposing them to things that even grown ups shouldn't have to experience. I want to just wrap him up and protect him. I want him to have a childhood full of laughter and fun and love. I don't want him to know about bad things yet. I don't want his heart to ache or him to be hurt. I just want him to be little. I want him to believe in Santa. I want his heart to grow with the love of Jesus. I want him to share that with others. I want him to be a little boy whose only concern right now is trying his best everyday. 

I guess with all the bad news in the world, I just feel overwhelmingly humbled by his innocence and excitement right now. 

His sweet face and laugh make me want to make this world so much better than it is. 

Merry Christmas sweet friends. I hope it's filled with so much happiness, joy and love. 

Prayers

You know those moments when your kids unexpectedly steal your heart?

Those moments when you realize all the talking and praying for actually sank in a little....not like I think it sank in...but it really did this time? Those moments?

We've been talking to Major, I mean Mr. Me about giving to people who don't have as much as we do or who aren't blessed like we are. He's 5. He's very rotten and very sheltered in the way of knowing what privilege is.

Anyway, we've been talking to him about that and today at the store we decided to choose an angel from the angel tree to sponsor. We chose a boy who is close in age to Major so that he could understand a little more about the mission. We asked him if he'd like to get presents for this child and also to pray for him. He reluctantly agreed.

So tonight during prayer he asked to pray first. In 5 years the order has been the same...me first, then Josh, then Major.
He prays first and these precious words came from his heart:
"Dear God, Thank you for this day and our family. Thank you for letting daddy make a lot of money. Please help Zach and Heather to have happy hearts and to be happy. Please help the kids who don't have presents and money. Help me to be good at school and to get a good report and to remember to be kind. In your name I pray. Amen"

My heart filled with pride and joy because compassion and thoughtfulness were laid on his heart. For some kids that comes so naturally but for Major, well, it's not his first instinct. I pray for that a lot for him.  I feel very grateful that he is beginning to understand compassion and that we can bless others.
His prayer made my heart happy. :)